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DIY mosquito-repellant candles to keep your blood where it belongs

Posted: 5:01 AM, Aug 24, 2016

Updated:2016-08-24 12:01:12Z

By:
RightThisMinute

If you live in the right climate, summer's the dreamy season of fireflies flitting across the warm night sky. For everyone else, you've gotta make do with a bloodthirsty insect! So if you're a mosquito magnet or just not a West Nile Virus fan, these bloodsucker-repellant citronella candles are a must-have for romantic sunsets or evenings outdoors. Learn how to make these aromatic candles alongside RightThisMinute's own how-to guru Jessica Hord.

You'll Need:

— Wax

— Old saucepan

— Candle holders

— Waxed wicks with metal tabs attached

— Stir sticks (Jessica uses coffee stirrers)

— Small funnel

— Scissors

— Balloons

Instructions:

1. Melt the amount of wax you'd like for your candle holder in your old saucepan.

2. While the wax is melting, lower a wick into the candle holder until it hits the bottom, Wrap the excess wick around a stir stick.

3. Once the wax melts, take off heat and carefully dip the bottom of the wick's metal tab into the melted wax and then press into the bottom of your candle holder.

4. Pour citronella into melted wax and stir.

5. Put funnel into candle holder and carefully pour in melted wax. Allow wax to cool until hard, usually about two hours.

6. Unravel wick from stick and cut to about an inch from wax.

7. Cut the neck and tip from the balloon, open it like a shirt, and pull it down over candle holder. Smooth out the balloon surface as needed. You're done!